Air Purifier Buying Guide

Need An Air Purifier? Understand The Different Types and How They Work

Asthma and allergy suffers alike will agree that fresh, clean air can substantially improve quality of life. Air purifiers clean indoor air by attracting airborne particles, fumes and other pollutants using a variety of methods such as HEPA filtering, electrostatic charge and more. Read on to learn more about the different types of air purifiers and how they work.

Types of Air Purifiers

Unit Types:

  – Available as table-top or tower units for small spaces or individual rooms

 Whole-House Purifiers – Suitable for treating large spaces and entire homes or offices

Types of Cleaning Methods:

  • HEPA filter air purifiers – The most popular type of unit, HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) purifiers use a filter to trap 99.97% of common contaminants like pollen, pet dander, dust, mold spores and cigarette smoke from the air.
  • Ionic air purifiers – These units create an electrical field that charges and attracts air particles. The charged particles get heavier as they cluster together and settle onto surfaces or the floor so that they can be dusted or vacuum-cleaned.
  • Ozone air purifiers – Similar to ion purifiers, ozone air cleaners also change air molecules in order to separate harmful particles from the indoor atmosphere. However, some experts say these units are not as effective as other types of purifiers.
  • Adsorbent or charcoal air purifiers – These purifiers use highly porous materials such as charcoal to trap particles onto its surface. Charcoal has a high surface area that makes it effective at grabbing passing particles and cleansing the air of odors, chemicals and fumes.
  • – Using harmless, low levels of ultraviolet radiation, these purifiers sterilize airborne bacteria.

Common Features of Air Purifiers

We carry a variety of air purifiers from leading brands that offer many features, such as:

  • Varying room capacities – Choose from models that treat a variety of square footages
  • Energy efficiency – Purifiers that use HEPA filters meet strict standards set by the U.S. Department of Energy, meaning they remove 99.97% of particles measuring 0.3 micrometers or larger
  • Long filter life span – Depending on how heavily you use your purifier, filters can last between 6 months to one year before needing replacement
  • Filter replacement indicators – This feature takes out the guesswork when it comes to changing your filter
  • Odor control – In addition to removing particles, purifiers can also clear the air of tobacco smoke and other odors
  • Programmable controls and speeds – Adjust the strength based on your needs
  • Automatic timers – Save even more energy by setting your purifier to turn on or off at certain times

Why Use A Whole-House Air Purifier?

The air inside homes and offices tend to have greater quantities of contaminants than the outdoors. While using individual portable units are an option, are the most efficient and cost-effective way to guarantee pollutant-free air for your entire space.

Whether you need a portable air purifier or a whole-house unit, we carry a variety of reliable brands such as Aprilaire, , Holmes, and NuTone that will give your home or office clean, healthy air.